Colombo: Sri Lankan navy on Thursday arrested 34 Indian fishermen for allegedly entering its waters illegally, taking the total number of captured to 53 in the last 24 hours.

Thursday's arrest came near islet of Delft in the northern Jaffna district, the Sri Lankan Navy said, adding they will be handed over to the local police for "trespassing and poaching in Sri Lankan waters".

The Navy had on Wednesday arrested 19 fishermen near the northern seas of Mannar. They were escorted to Talaimannar police for further procedural steps against them, the Navy added.

Illegal fishing by fishermen of both India and Sri Lanka is a recurring problem for the respective authorities.